Write To freedom Trustee

I became aware of Write to Freedom in 2012. At the time, as part of my own journey of recovery from addiction, I had a regular commitment attending 12 Step recovery meetings inside HMP Channings Wood, a local prison here in south Devon.

Whilst I felt privileged to be part of these groups, to witness the collective wisdom in the rooms, to give and receive experience, strength and hope, I also found myself wondering at the hopelessness of these men’s predicaments and the revolving door of addiction and prison life.

I felt sad that not only these men (the majority of whom had no recollection of their crimes due to being in a drug/alcohol induced blackout) but very few people (in our Western culture), have a rites of passage into adulthood, an ongoing initiation held by a safe and supportive group of men and women.

Magic happens on Write to Freedom residentials. The safety we create as a staff team enables participants to really feel held and to trust the journey we take them on. The stunning wild beauty of Dartmoor does the rest. I love witnessing the change in people’s faces and their body language as the days unfold. I love the unique programme of activities, reflection and rituals that we weave around our core text Tribe Warrior – using myth as a mirror for our own experiences.

I am currently a trustee for Write to Freedom and also volunteer as support staff on residentials up at High Heathercombe on Dartmoor.